title: Modification of Ag nanoparticles with mixed thiols for improved SERS detection of poorly adsorbing target molecules: detection of MDMA.
abstract: Here we report an example of a mixed thiol monolayer on the surface of Ag nanoparticles which promotes adsorption and quantitative SERS detection of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "Ecstasy"); the thiols in the mixed monolayers act synergistically since MDMA does not adsorb onto colloids modified with either of the thiols separately.
authors.affiliation: Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5AG, UK.
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Steven E J
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Bell
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D003102:Colloids; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry*; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D003102:Colloids; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D012834:Silver; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine